Increasing mobile device positioning accuracy

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices related to data transmission and accuracy for positioning User Equipment (UE) in a network are described. In one exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication includes selecting, by a mobile device, one or more cells in a wireless network for facilitating a positioning of the mobile device in the wireless network. The method also includes transmitting, from the mobile device to a network node, a message to request assistance data corresponding to the one or more selected cells.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document claims the benefit of priority to InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/CN2018/075949, filed on Feb. 9, 2018. Theentire contents of the before-mentioned patent applications areincorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document is directed generally to digital wirelesscommunications.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communication technologies are moving the world toward anincreasingly connected and networked society. The rapid growth of mobilecommunications and advances in technology have led to greater demand forcapacity and connectivity. Other aspects, such as energy consumption,device cost, spectral efficiency, and latency are also important tomeeting the needs of various communication scenarios. Varioustechniques, including new ways to provide higher quality of service, arebeing discussed.

SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

This document discloses methods, systems, and devices related to digitalwireless communication, and more specifically, to techniques related todata transmission and accuracy for positioning User Equipment (UE) in anetwork.

In one exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication. The methodincludes selecting, by a mobile device, one or more cells in a wirelessnetwork for facilitating a positioning of the mobile device in thewireless network; and transmitting, from the mobile device to a networknode, a message to request assistance data corresponding to the one ormore selected cells.

In some embodiments, the selecting the one or more cells includesselecting the one or more cells from multiple neighboring cells of themobile device based on signal qualities corresponding to the individualneighboring cells of the mobile device. In some implementations, theselecting the one or more cells includes selecting the one or more cellsbased on a list of cells previously used for a positioning of the mobiledevice. In some embodiments, the network node comprises an EvolvedServing Mobile Location Center.

In another exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication. Themethod includes receiving, at a network node, a message from a mobiledevice, the message including a request for assistance datacorresponding to one or more cells selected by the mobile device forfacilitating a positioning of the mobile device in a wireless network;and transmitting, from the network node to the mobile device, theassistance data corresponding to the one or more cells selected by themobile device.

In some embodiments, the network node comprises an Evolved ServingMobile Location Center. In some embodiments, the assistance datacorresponding to the one or more cells is determined based on previouslystored assistance data for the mobile device.

In another exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication isdisclosed. The method includes receiving, at a wireless communicationnode, a first message that indicates a positioning request for a mobiledevice or a completion of capabilities and assistance data exchangebetween a mobile device and a network node.

In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting, from the wirelesscommunication node, a second message to the mobile device to instructthe mobile device to perform positioning measurements in a connectedstate. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting, from thewireless communication node, a second message to the mobile device toinstruct the mobile device to perform a fast release of a currentconnection for performing positioning measurements in an idle state.

In some embodiment, the method further includes receiving, at thewireless communication node, prior to receiving the first message, athird message from the mobile device, the third message includinginformation that indicates a capability of the mobile device forperforming positioning measurements in the connected state. In someembodiments, third message is transmitted in a random access procedure.In some implementations, the third message includes a Msg3 or a Msg5.

In some embodiments, the first message includes information indicating acapability of the mobile device for performing positioning measurementsin the connected state. In some embodiments, the transmitting the secondmessage includes transmitting, based on a coverage level of a servingcell of the mobile device and the capability of the mobile device forperforming positioning measurements in the connected state, the secondmessage to the mobile device to instruct the mobile device to performpositioning measurements in the connected state.

In another exemplary aspect, a method for wireless communication isdisclosed. The method includes transmitting, from a mobile device, afirst message to a wireless communication node, the first message thatindicates a positioning request for a mobile device or a completion ofcapabilities and assistance data exchange between the mobile device anda network node.

In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, at the mobiledevice, a second message from the wireless communication node toinstruct the mobile device to perform positioning measurements in aconnected state. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, atthe mobile device, a second message from the wireless communication nodeto instruct the mobile device to perform a fast release of a currentconnection for performing positioning measurements in an idle state. Insome implementations, the method further includes performing, by themobile device, positioning measurements in the connected state afterreceiving the second message.

In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting, from the mobiledevice, prior to transmitting the first message, a third message to thewireless communication node, wherein the third message includesinformation indicating a capability of the mobile device for performingpositioning measurements in the connected state. In some embodiments,the third message is transmitted in a random access procedure. In someimplementations, the third message includes a Msg3 or a Msg5.

In another exemplary aspect, a wireless communications apparatuscomprising a processor is disclosed. The processor is configured toimplement a method described herein.

In yet another exemplary aspect, the various techniques described hereinmay be embodied as processor-executable code and stored on acomputer-readable program medium.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying attachments, the drawings, and the description below. Otherfeatures will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing representative signaling steps of apositioning process used in the current wireless communication systems.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of a method for wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of another method for wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a representative signaling process usingearly data transmission in accordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing another representative signaling processusing early data transmission (EDT) in accordance with the disclosedtechniques.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing a representative signaling process usingEDT in accordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing another representative signaling processusing EDT in accordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing another representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representation of a method for wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representation of another method for wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a wireless communication system wheretechniques in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presenttechnology can be applied.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram representation of a portion of a radiostation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In wireless communication systems, mobile device positioningfunctionality provides mechanisms, based on measuring radio signals, tosupport or assist the calculation of the geographical position of amobile device (e.g., a UE). The position knowledge of a UE can be used,for example, in support of Radio Resource Management functions, as wellas location-based services for operators, subscribers, and third-partyservice providers.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing representative signaling steps of apositioning process used in the current wireless communication systems.For a UE in an idle state, the positioning process can be triggered whenthe network side has a positioning requirement. For example, a MobilityManagement Entity (MME) 103 sends a first paging message 111 to a basestation 102 (e.g., an evolved NodeB (eNB), or a gNB). The UE 101 isinitially in an idle state. The base station 102 wakes up the UE 101 bysending the UE a second paging message 112. The UE 101 then triggers arandom access procedure 113 so that it can switch to a connected state.After the UE 101 is in the connected state, a positioning server 104,such as an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC), exchangesrelevant positioning information with the UE 101. For example, theE-SMLC 104 sends a message 114 to the UE 101 to request its locationinformation. The UE first sends a message 115 to the E-SMLC 104 toreport its positioning capabilities. The UE then sends a message 116 tothe E-SMLC 104 to request assistance data. After the UE receives theassistance data in a message 117 from the E-SMLC 104, it enters into theidle state 118 again to perform positioning measurements. After themeasurements are completed, the UE switches back into the connectedstate 119 to report its measurements to the E-SMLC 104 in a message 120.The E-SMLC 104 can obtain the location information 121 of the UE afterreceiving the measurements from the UE 101.

Currently, the Narrow Band (NB) Internet of Things (IoT) systems onlysupport idle state positioning. That is, the positioning measurement isperformed in the idle state only. In order to complete the positioningprocess, the UE must undergo several state transitions: as shown in FIG.1 , the UE switches from the idle state to the connected state afterreceiving the paging message, switches to the idle state to performmeasurements, and switches back to the connected state to report themeasurements. Furthermore, the amount of assistance data is large. Inmany cases, the assistance data for the UE remains unchanged, yet the UErequests it for each positioning process regardless whether its positionhas changed.

Therefore, the current positioning process is inefficient in terms ofbandwidth utilization and complexity of implementation. The techniquesdescribed in the present document can be used by embodiments in whichthe UE can request a smaller amount of assistance data while improvingthe accuracy of the positioning process. The disclosed techniques canalso be used by embodiments in which the UE can undergo fewer number ofstate transitions to obtain the assistance data when the UE is capableof performing positioning measurements in a connected state, therebyreducing system resource overhead and power consumption of the UE.

Details of the disclosed techniques are described in the followingembodiments.

Example Embodiment 1

In current wireless communication systems, the E-SMLC does not know thespecific location of the UE in its serving cell. Therefore, the E-SMLCtends to configure a relatively large neighborhood cell list for the UE.Acquiring assistance data for the cells in the large list can increasepower consumption of the UE. Furthermore, without UE-specificinformation, high-quality cell(s) that are helpful for UE positioningcan still be omitted from the large list, resulting in suboptimalaccuracy in the final positioning results. This embodiment describestechniques that can be used to reduce the amount of assistance data yetimprove accuracy of the UE positioning process.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques. The positioning process can betriggered when the network side has a positioning requirement. Forexample, the MME 203 sends a first paging message 211 to a eNB 202.

The UE 201 is initially in an idle state. The eNB 202 sends the UE 201 asecond paging message 212. After receiving the second paging message212, the UE 201 starts a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connectionestablishment procedure 213 to enter into a connected state. After theUE 201 is in the connected state, the UE receives a capability request214 from the E-SMLC 204, and reports its positioning capabilities in amessage 215 to the E-SMLC 204.

The UE 201 then selects a list of recommended cells 216 for facilitatingthe positioning of the UE. Using the current positioning methods, suchas the Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) method, the UE 201needs at least three cells to calculate accurate position information.The UE 201 can select three or more cells to form the list ofrecommended cells based on signal quality in the cells. For example,three cells having the best signal quality can be selected by the UE201. The UE 201 then transmit a message 217 to the E-SMLC 204 to requestassistance data for the selected cells. The E-SMLC 204 determines therequested assistance data for the selected cells 218, and provides thecorresponding assistance data to UE in a message 219.

After the UE 201 receives the assistance data, it enters into the idlestate 220 again to perform positioning measurements. The UE 201 thenswitches back to the connected state 221 after the measurements arecompleted to report the measurements to the E-SMLC 204 in a message 222.The E-SMLC 204 can obtain the location information 223 of the UE bycalculating the measurements from the UE 201.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of a method 300 for wirelesscommunication. The method 300 includes, at 302, selecting, by a mobiledevice, one or more cells in a wireless network for facilitating apositioning of the mobile device in the wireless network. The method 300also includes, at 304, transmitting, from the mobile device to a networknode, a message to request assistance data corresponding to the one ormore selected cells.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of a method 400 for wirelesscommunication. The method 400 includes, at 402, receiving, at a networknode, a message from a mobile device to request assistance datacorresponding to one or more cells selected by the mobile device forpositioning the mobile device in the wireless network. The method 400also includes, at 404, transmitting, from the network node to the mobiledevice, the assistance data corresponding to the one or more cellsselected by the mobile device.

Example Embodiment 2

In many cases, the assistance data remains unchanged for a long periodof time. When the UE moves within its serving cell, its neighboringcells do not change much. When the UE moves out of its serving cell, itsreference cell and neighboring cells may undergo bigger changes. Thus,the UE can store the cells previously used for the positioning process.When the UE receives information indicating a new list of neighboringcells via a signal over the broadcast channel, it can detect the changesin neighboring cells and request corresponding assistance data. Thisembodiment describes techniques that can be used to reduce the amount ofassistance data yet improve accuracy of the UE positioning process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques. The UE 501 can store the listof cells 511 (e.g., CellList_(old)) used for the previous positioningprocess. A new positioning process can be triggered when the networkside has a positioning requirement. For example, the MME 503 sends afirst paging message 513 to a eNB 202.

The UE 501 is initially in an idle state. The eNB 502 sends the UE 501 asecond paging message 514. After receiving the second paging message514, the UE 501 starts a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connectionestablishment procedure 515 to enter into a connected state. After theUE 501 is in the connected state, the UE receives a capability request516 from the E-SMLC 504, and reports its positioning capabilities in amessage 517 to the E-SMLC 504.

By comparing its stored cell list to the current neighboring cells(e.g., CellList_(new)) signaled over a broadcast channel, the UE candetermine the changes in the cell(s) 518 (e.g.,ΔCellList=CellList_(new)−CellList_(old)). The UE then requestsassistance data for the changed cells (e.g., ΔCellList) in message 519and receives corresponding assistance data in a message 521. Forexample, the UE stores cells {A, B, C} used for its previous positioningprocess. The UE then moves and gets notified that its currentneighboring cells are {B, C, D}. Based on the stored information, the UErequests assistance data for cell {D} only.

After the UE 501 receives the assistance data, it enters into the idlestate 522 again to perform positioning measurements. The UE 501 thenswitches back to the connected state 523 after the measurements arecompleted to report the measurements to the E-SMLC 504 in a message 524.The E-SMLC 504 can obtain the location information 525 of the UE bycalculating the measurements from the UE 501.

Example Embodiment 3

This embodiment describes techniques that can be used to reduce theamount of assistance data in the UE positioning process.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques. In this embodiments, theE-SMLC 604 stores assistance data locally so that it can detect changesin the assistance data. In some embodiments, the assistance data can bestored in a separate node that is accessible to the E-SMLC 604.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the MME 603 sends a positioning request message 611to the E-SMLC 604. The message 611 can include information of the cellsthat are in the tracking area of the UE. After receiving the message611, the E-SMLC 604 determines, based on the stored assistance data,whether the assistance data for each of the cells in the tracking areaof the UE has changed.

In some embodiments, the E-SMLC 604 stores cell-specific assistance datafor a UE. Based on the cell-specific assistance data, the E-SMLC 604sends a message 613 to the MME 603 to indicate whether the assistancedata for each of the cells in the tracking area of the UE has changed.If the assistance data has changed for one or more cells in the trackingarea, the E-SMLC 604 can include information indicating such changes inthe message 613. In some embodiments, the message 613 includes one ormore indicators to indicate the assistance data has changed for thecells in the tracking area. In some embodiments, the message 613includes the changed portion of the assistance data (e.g.,ΔAssistanceData=AssistanceData_(new)−AssistanceData_(old)) for eachchanged cell in the tracking area. If the assistance data has notchanged for the cells in the tracking area, the E-SMLC 604 can includeone or more indicators indicating that the assistance data has notchanged for the cells.

In some embodiments, the E-SMLC 604 stores UE-specific positioningassistance data for a UE. In such cases, the E-SMLC 604 can inform theMME 603 of UE's serving cell based on results of the last positioningprocess. The E-SMLC 604 can also indicate whether the assistance datafor the serving cell has changed. If the assistance data of the servingcell has changed, the E-SMLC 604 can include information indicating suchchanges in the message 613. In some embodiments, the message 613includes indicators to indicate the assistance data has changed for theserving cell. In some embodiments, the message 613 includes the changedportion of the assistance data (e.g.,ΔAssistanceData=AssistanceData_(new)−AssistanceData_(old)) for theserving cell. If the assistance data has not changed for the servingcell, the E-SMLC 604 can include an indicator indicating that theassistance data has not changed for the serving cell.

The E-SMLC 604 can also indicate whether the assistance data for thenon-serving cell(s) in the tracking area has changed. If the assistancedata of the non-serving cell(s) has changed, the E-SMLC 604 can includeinformation indicating such changes in the message 613. In someembodiments, the message 613 includes indicators to indicate theassistance data has changed for the non-serving cell(s) in the trackingarea. In some embodiments, the message 613 includes the changed portionof the assistance data (e.g.,ΔAssistanceData=AssistanceData_(new)−AssistanceData_(old)) for thenon-serving cell(s) in the tracking area. If the assistance data has notchanged for the non-serving cell(s) in the tracking area, the E-SMLC 604can include one or more indicators indicating that the assistance datahas not changed for the non-serving cell(s).

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques. The UE 601 can store the listof cells used for the previous positioning process 611 (e.g.,CellList_(old)). The E-SMLC 604 also stores assistance data 612 forfacilitating the UE positioning. A new positioning process can betriggered when the network side has a positioning requirement. Forexample, the MME 603 sends a first paging message 613 to a eNB 602.

The UE 601 is initially in an idle state. The eNB 602 sends the UE 601 asecond paging message 613. After receiving the second paging message614, the UE 601 starts a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connectionestablishment procedure 615 to enter into a connected state. After theUE 601 is in the connected state, the UE receives a capability request616 from the E-SMLC 604, and reports its positioning capabilities in amessage 617 to the E-SMLC 504.

By comparing its stored cell list to the current neighboring cells(e.g., CellList_(new)) signaled over a broadcast channel, the UE thencan determine the changes in the cell(s) 618 (e.g.,ΔCellList=CellList_(new)−CellList_(old)). The UE requests assistancedata for the changed cells (e.g., CellList) in message 619.

After receiving message 619, the E-SMLC 604 determines, based on thestored assistance data, whether the assistance data for the requestedcells 620 has changed. The E-SMLC 604 sends the changed assistance datafor the requested cells in a message 621 to the UE 601. In someembodiments, the message 621 also includes changed assistance data forcells that are not requested by the UE 601. For example, the UE 601detects that its cell list changes from {A, B, C} to {B, C, D}, so itsends a message to request assistance data for ΔCellList={D}. However,the E-SMLC 604 detects that assistance data for cell E also changes. Sothe E-SMLC 604 can include the changed assistance data for cells {D, E}in the message 621 to the UE 601.

After the UE 601 receives the changed assistance data in a message 621from the E-SMLC 604, it enters into the idle state 622 again to performpositioning measurements. The UE 601 then switches back to the connectedstate 623 after the measurements are completed to report themeasurements to the E-SMLC 604 in a message 624. The E-SMLC 604 canobtain the location information 625 of the UE by calculating themeasurements from the UE 601.

Example Embodiment 4

Early data transmission allows the UE and the eNB to append data tomessages in a random access procedure, e.g., appending uplink data toMsg3 and downlink data to Msg4. This embodiment describes arepresentative signaling process that can be used to enabled a UE thatis capable of early data transmission (EDT) to reduce state transitionsfor the positioning process when possible. In particular, when the UEsupports positioning measurements in the connected state, the number ofstate transitions that the UE goes through for the positioning processcan be reduced.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing a representative signaling process usingearly data transmission in accordance with the disclosed techniques. Thepositioning process can be triggered when the network side has apositioning requirement. For example, the MME 703 sends a first pagingmessage 711 to a eNB 702. The UE 701 is initially in an idle state. TheeNB 702 sends the UE 701 a second paging message 712.

In this particular embodiment, the eNB 702 includes information thatindicates early data transmission (EDT) to instruct the UE 701 toinitiate a random access procedure with EDT. After the UE receives thesecond paging message 712, the UE detects the information for the EDTand initiates the random access procedure. The UE first sends a Msg1 713to the eNB 702, and receives a random access response in Msg2 714 fromthe eNB 702. Operating with early data transmission, the UE can send itspositioning capabilities in the connected state 718 (e.g., thepositioning methods that the UE supports) in parallel with transmissionof Mg3 715 or Mg5 717. For example, Msg3 can include a specialinformation element (e.g., dedicatedInfoNAS) so that the UE can includeits positioning capabilities in Msg3 715. Similarly, Mg5 can include aspecial information element (e.g., dedicatedInfoNAS) so that the UE caninclude its positioning capabilities in Msg5 717.

After the UE 701 completes the random access procedure, the UE 701exchanges information with the E-SMLC 704 regarding other UE positioningcapabilities 719 and assistance data 720. The UE 701 then sends amessage 721 to the eNB 702 to indicate a completion of the informationexchange. In some embodiments, the UE 701 includes a positioning requestin the message 721 to the eNB 702.

If the UE 701 supports a positioning method that allows the UE 701 toperform measurements in the connected state, the eNB 702 determines,based on UE's positioning capabilities 718 obtained in the random accessprocedure, a positioning method for performing measurements. Forexample, if the coverage level of the serving cell is a normal coveragelevel, or a coverage enhancement level (CEL) that is lower than apredetermined threshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB decides that the UE canperform measurements in the connected state. The eNB 702 then sends amessage 722 to instruct the UE 701 to use this method for performingmeasurements.

After the UE 701 receives the message 722 from the eNB 702, it performspositioning measurements in the connected state 723. Then the UE 601reports the measurements 724 to the E-SMLC 704 without any statetransitions. The E-SMLC 704 can obtain the location information 725 ofthe UE by calculating the measurements from the UE 701.

In some embodiments, the eNB may decide that a different positioningmethod is more desirable, even though the UE supports positioningmeasurements in the connected state. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B,if the coverage level of the serving cell is a CEL that higher than apredetermined threshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB 702 decides that it isdesirable for the UE to perform measurements in the idle state. The eNB702 then sends a message 726 to the UE 701 to instruct it to perform afast release of the current connection and perform positioningmeasurements in the idle state.

After the UE 701 receives the message 726 from the eNB 702, it releasesthe current connection and enters into the idle state 727 to performpositioning measurements. The UE 701 then switches back to the connectedstate 728 after the measurements are completed to report themeasurements to the E-SMLC 704 in a message 724. The E-SMLC 704 canobtain the location information 725 of the UE by calculating themeasurements from the UE 701.

Example Embodiment 5

This embodiment describes another representative signaling process thatcan be used to enabled a UE that is capable of early data transmission(EDT) to reduce state transitions for the positioning process whenpossible.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing a representative signaling process usingEDT in accordance with the disclosed techniques. The positioning processcan be triggered when the network side has a positioning requirement.For example, the MME 803 sends a first paging message 811 to a eNB 802.

The UE 801 is initially in an idle state. The eNB 802 sends the UE 801 asecond paging message 812. In this particular embodiment, the eNB 802includes information that indicates early data transmission (EDT) toinstruct the UE 801 to initiate a random access procedure with EDT.After the UE receives the second paging message 812, the UE detects theinformation for the EDT and initiates the random access procedure. TheUE first sends a Msg1 813 to the eNB 802, and receives a random accessresponse in Msg2 814 from the eNB 802. Operating with early datatransmission, the UE can send its positioning capabilities 818 (e.g.,the positioning methods that the UE supports) in parallel withtransmission of Mg3 815 or Mg5 817. For example, Msg3 can include aspecial information element (e.g., dedicatedInfoNAS) so that the UE caninclude its positioning capabilities in Msg3 815. Similarly, Mg5 caninclude a special information element (e.g., dedicatedInfoNAS) so thatthe UE can include its positioning capabilities in Msg5 817.

After the UE 801 completes the random access procedure, the eNB 802reports UE's capabilities (e.g., the positioning methods that the UEsupports) to the E-SMLC in a message 819. The UE 801 also exchangesinformation with the E-SMLC 804 regarding UE's other capabilities 820and assistance data 821. The E-SMLC then sends a message 822 to the eNB802 to indicate a completion of information exchange.

If the UE 801 supports a positioning method that allows the UE 801 toperform measurements in a connected state, the eNB 802 determines, basedon UE's positioning capabilities 818 obtained in the random accessprocedure, a positioning method for performing measurements. Forexample, if the coverage level of the serving cell is a normal coveragelevel, or a coverage enhancement level (CEL) that is lower than apredetermined threshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB decides that the UE canperform measurements in the connected state. The eNB 802 then sends amessage 823 to instruct the UE 801 to use this method for performingmeasurements.

After the UE 801 receives the message 823 from the eNB 802, it performspositioning measurements in the connected state 824. Then the UE 801reports the measurements 825 to the E-SMLC 804 without any statetransitions. The E-SMLC 804 can obtain the location information 826 ofthe UE by calculating the measurements from the UE 801.

In some embodiments, the eNB may decide that a different positioningmethod is more desirable, even though the UE supports positioningmeasurements in the connected state. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B,if the coverage level of the serving cell is a CEL that higher than apredetermined threshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB 802 decides that it isdesirable for the UE to perform measurements in the idle state. The eNB802 then sends a message 827 to the UE 801 to instruct it to perform afast release of the current connection and perform positioningmeasurements in the idle state.

After the UE 801 receives the changed assistance data in a message 827from the eNB 802, it releases the current connection and enters into theidle state 828 to perform positioning measurements. The UE 801 thenswitches back to the connected state 829 after the measurements arecompleted to report the measurements to the E-SMLC 804 in a message 825.The E-SMLC 804 can obtain the location information 826 of the UE bycalculating the measurements from the UE 801.

Example Embodiment 6

This embodiment describes a representative signaling process that can beused to reduce state transitions for the UE when possible. Inparticular, when the UE supports positioning measurements in theconnected state, the number of state transitions that the UE goesthrough for the positioning process can be reduced.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a representative signaling process inaccordance with the disclosed techniques. The positioning process can betriggered when the network side has a positioning requirement. Forexample, the MME 903 sends a first paging message 911 to a eNB 902.

The UE 901 is initially in an idle state. The eNB 902 sends the UE 901 asecond paging message 912. After receiving the second paging message912, the UE 901 starts a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connectionestablishment procedure 913 to enter into a connected state. After theUE 901 is in the connected state, the UE receives a capability request914 from the E-SMLC 904, and reports its positioning capabilities in amessage 915 to the E-SMLC 904. The UE 901 also transmit a message 917 tothe E-SMLC 904 to request assistance data for selected cells, andreceives the corresponding assistance data in a message 918 from theE-SMLC 904.

The UE can also send its positioning capabilities in the connected state916 (e.g., the positioning methods that the UE supports) in parallelwith transmission of other capabilities 915 or request for assistancedata 917. For example, the UE can include its positioning capabilitiesin the connected state along with other positioning capabilities in themessage 915. After the information exchange with the UE 901, the E-SMLC904 sends a message 919 to the eNB 920 to indicate a completion of theinformation exchange. The E-SMLC 904 also includes UE's positioningcapabilities in the connected state (e.g., the positioning methods thatthe UE supports) in the message 919.

If the UE 901 supports a positioning method that allows the UE 901 toperform measurements in the connected state, the eNB 902 determines,based on UE's positioning capabilities included in the message 919, apositioning method for performing measurements. For example, if thecoverage level of the serving cell is a normal coverage level, or acoverage enhancement level (CEL) that is lower than a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB decides that the UE can performmeasurements in the connected state. The eNB 902 then sends a message920 to instruct the UE 901 to use this method for performingmeasurements.

After the UE 921 receives the message 920 from the eNB 902, it performspositioning measurements in the connected state 921. Then the UE 901reports the measurements 922 to the E-SMLC 904 without any statetransitions. The E-SMLC 904 can obtain the location information 923 ofthe UE by calculating the measurements from the UE 901.

In some embodiments, the eNB may decide that a different positioningmethod is more desirable, even though the UE supports positioningmeasurements in the connected state. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B,if the coverage level of the serving cell is a CEL that higher than apredetermined threshold (e.g., CEL2), the eNB 902 decides that it isdesirable for the UE to perform measurements in the idle state. The eNB902 then sends a message 924 to the UE 901 to instruct it to perform afast release of the current connection and perform positioningmeasurements in the idle state.

After the UE 901 receives the message 924 from the eNB 902, it releasesthe current connection and enters into the idle state 925 to performpositioning measurements. The UE 901 then switches back to the connectedstate 926 after the measurements are completed to report themeasurements to the E-SMLC 904 in a message 922. The E-SMLC 904 canobtain the location information 923 of the UE by calculating themeasurements from the UE 901.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representation of a method 1000 for wirelesscommunication. The method includes, at 1002, receiving, at a wirelesscommunication node, a first message that indicates a positioning requestfor a mobile device or a completion of capabilities and assistance dataexchange between a mobile device and a network node.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representation of a method 1100 for wirelesscommunication. The method includes, at 1102, transmitting, from a mobiledevice, a first message to a wireless communication node, the firstmessage that indicates a positioning request for a mobile device or acompletion of capabilities and assistance data exchange between themobile device and a network node.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a wireless communication system wheretechniques in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presenttechnology can be applied. A wireless communication system 1200 caninclude one or more base stations (BSs) 1205 a, 1205 b, one or morewireless devices 1210 a, 1210 b, 1210 c, 1210 d, and a core network1225. A base station 1205 a, 1205 b can provide wireless service towireless devices 1210 a, 1210 b, 1210 c and 1210 d in one or morewireless sectors. In some implementations, a base station 1205 a, 1205 bincludes directional antennas to produce two or more directional beamsto provide wireless coverage in different sectors.

The core network 1225 can communicate with one or more base stations1205 a, 1205 b. The core network 1225 provides connectivity with otherwireless communication systems and wired communication systems. The corenetwork may include one or more service subscription databases to storeinformation related to the subscribed wireless devices 1210 a, 1210 b,1210 c, and 1210 d. A first base station 1205 a can provide wirelessservice based on a first radio access technology, whereas a second basestation 1205 b can provide wireless service based on a second radioaccess technology. The base stations 1205 a and 1205 b may be co-locatedor may be separately installed in the field according to the deploymentscenario. The wireless devices 1210 a, 1210 b, 1210 c, and 1210 d cansupport multiple different radio access technologies.

In some implementations, a wireless communication system can includemultiple networks using different wireless technologies. A dual-mode ormulti-mode wireless device includes two or more wireless technologiesthat could be used to connect to different wireless networks.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram representation of a portion of a radiostation. A radio station 1305 such as a base station or a wirelessdevice (or UE) can include processor electronics 1310 such as amicroprocessor that implements one or more of the wireless techniquespresented in this document. The radio station 1305 can includetransceiver electronics 1315 to send and/or receive wireless signalsover one or more communication interfaces such as antenna 1320. Theradio station 1305 can include other communication interfaces fortransmitting and receiving data. Radio station 1305 can include one ormore memories (not explicitly shown) configured to store informationsuch as data and/or instructions. In some implementations, the processorelectronics 1310 can include at least a portion of the transceiverelectronics 1315. In some embodiments, at least some of the disclosedtechniques, modules or functions are implemented using the radio station1305.

It is thus evident that methods and corresponding apparatus relating todata transmission and accuracy for positioning User Equipment (UE) in anetwork are disclosed. Using the disclosed techniques, the UE canrequest a smaller amount of assistance data while improving the accuracyof the positioning process. The UE can also undergo fewer number ofstate transitions to obtain the assistance data when it is capable ofperforming positioning measurements in a connected state, therebyreducing system resource overhead and power consumption of the UE.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe presently disclosed technology have been described herein forpurposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, thepresently disclosed technology is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

The disclosed and other embodiments, modules and the functionaloperations described in this document can be implemented in digitalelectronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware,including the structures disclosed in this document and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The disclosedand other embodiments can be implemented as one or more computer programproducts, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructionsencoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to controlthe operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readablemedium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readablestorage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting amachine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or morethem. The term “data processing apparatus” encompasses all apparatus,devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example aprogrammable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers.The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates anexecution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., codethat constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a databasemanagement system, an operating system, or a combination of one or moreof them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g.,a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, thatis generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiverapparatus.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this document can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatilememory, media and memory devices, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purposelogic circuitry.

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this patent document in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theembodiments described in this patent document should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this patent document.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communication,comprising: receiving, at a wireless communication node from a mobiledevice, a first message including positioning capability informationthat indicates a capability of the mobile device for performingpositioning measurements in a connected state; receiving, at thewireless communication node, a second message that indicates acompletion of capabilities and assistance data exchange between themobile device and the wireless communication node; determining, at thewireless communication node, based on the positioning capabilityinformation received during the capabilities and assistance dataexchange, that the mobile device is configured to perform measurementsin the connected state; and transmitting, from the wirelesscommunication node, a third message to the mobile device to instruct themobile device to perform positioning measurements based on thedetermining.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third message istransmitted based on a coverage level of a serving cell of the mobiledevice and the capability of the mobile device for performingpositioning measurements in the connected state.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the determining determines that the mobile device isconfigured to perform measurement in the connected state in case that acoverage level of a serving cell is lower than a predeterminedthreshold.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to thereceiving of the first message, transmitting, from the wirelesscommunication node to the mobile device, a paging message to instructthe mobile device to initiate a random access procedure.
 5. A method forwireless communication, comprising: transmitting, from a mobile deviceto a wireless communication node, a first message including positioningcapability information that indicates a capability of the mobile devicefor performing positioning measurements in a connected state;transmitting, from the mobile device, a second message to the wirelesscommunication node, the second message indicating a completion ofcapabilities and assistance data exchange between the mobile device anda network node; receiving, at the mobile device, a third message from awireless communication node to instruct the mobile device to performpositioning measurements in the connected state; and performing, at themobile device, based on the third message, positioning measurements inthe connected state or an idle state.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: performing, by the mobile device, positioning measurementsin the connected state after receiving the third message.
 7. The methodof claim 5, further comprising, prior to the transmitting of the firstmessage, receiving, at the mobile device, a paging message instructingthe mobile device to initiate a random access procedure.
 8. The methodof claim 5, further comprising, after the performing of the positioningmeasurements, reporting positioning measurements.
 9. An apparatus forwireless communication comprising a processor, and a memory includingprocessor executable code, wherein the processor executable code uponexecution by the processor configures the processor to: receive, from amobile device, a first message including positioning capabilityinformation that indicates a capability of the mobile device forperforming positioning measurements in a connected state; receive, atthe apparatus, a second message that indicates a completion ofcapabilities and assistance data exchange between the mobile device andthe wireless communication node; determine, based on the positioningcapability information received during the capabilities and assistancedata exchange, that the mobile device is configured to performmeasurements in the connected state; and transmit a third message to themobile device to instruct the mobile device to perform positioningmeasurements based on the determining.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the third message is transmitted based on a coverage level of aserving cell of the mobile device and the capability of the mobiledevice for performing positioning measurements in the connected state.11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured todetermine that the mobile device is configured to perform measurement inthe connected state in case that a coverage level of a serving cell islower than a predetermined threshold.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, prior to areceipt of the first message, a paging message to instruct the mobiledevice to initiate a random access procedure.
 13. An apparatus forwireless communication comprising a processor, and a memory includingprocessor executable code, wherein the processor executable code uponexecution by the processor configures the processor to: transmit a firstmessage including positioning capability information that indicates acapability of the mobile device for performing positioning measurementsin a connected state; transmit, from the mobile device, a second messageto a wireless communication node, the second message indicating acompletion of capabilities and assistance data exchange between themobile device and a network node; receive a third message from thewireless communication node to instruct the mobile device to performpositioning measurements in the connected state; and perform positioningmeasurements in the connected state or an idle state based on the thirdmessage.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor isconfigured to perform positioning measurements in the connected stateafter receiving the third message.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the processor is further configured to receive, prior to thetransmitting of the first message, a paging message instructing themobile device to initiate a random access procedure.
 16. The apparatusof claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to reportpositioning measurements after the performing of the positioningmeasurements.